Library Operations Assistant (Student)

American University; Washington (District of Columbia); On-site; USD 25,000 - 28,000; Part time

Job summary

American University is seeking a Library Operations Student Assistant to support front-facing library services, answer patron questions, stock supplies, and staff service desks. This role requires a current full-time student and offers 10–15 hours per week at $18.40 per hour, with shifts between 8:00 AM and 10:00 PM and potential weekend coverage.

Responsible for assisting patrons, guiding inquiries, and maintaining library spaces.

Qualifications

• Must be an active full-time student at American University.
• Excellent customer service, interpersonal, organizational, communication, and problem-solving skills.
• Demonstrates a high level of honesty, integrity, and confidentiality, particularly with sensitive user information.
• Strong attention to detail, learning mindset, and ability to multitask in a fast-paced environment.
• Adapts to evolving workflows and procedures with flexibility.
• Ability to work collegially with library and university members.
• Ability to work independently with minimal supervision.
• Must be able to lift 40 pounds and push carts.

Responsibilities

• Providing excellent customer service.
• Providing directions and referrals to other library departments and campus offices.
• Addressing and referring patron concerns to leadership.
• Operating multi-line phone systems.
• Basic troubleshooting for minor tech issues; familiarity with PC and Mac operations.
• Managing lost and found and stocking supplies.
• Maintaining the presentability of Library spaces.
• Recording patron data and statistics.
• Communicating patron concerns to supervisors.
• Maintaining clear communication with supervisors via in-person and online platforms.
• Utilizing Microsoft Office Suite, Springshare products, and Alma/ILLiad.
• Contributing to other projects for Library Operations and Departments.

Skills

Customer service

Interpersonal skills

Organizational skills

Problem solving

Attention to detail

Communication skills

Multitasking

Education

Active full-time student at American University

Tools

Microsoft Office Suite

Microsoft Teams

Excel

Word

LibStaffer

LibCal

LibGuides

Alma

ILLiad

Job description

Work Where You Learn: Build Experience, Grow Skills, andContribute to Your University Community.

This position isavailable only to enrolled American University students.

Most student positions at American University are eligible touse Federal Work Study (FWS) awards, with a few exceptions. FWSfunds cannot be applied to janitorial, construction, partisan orsectarian positions. For information or questions regarding FWSfunds, please contact American University's Office of FinancialAid.

Important guidance for current American University employees: American University current employees, including those employed in student positions, must apply through their employee Workday account. If you are a current employee at American University, please log into your employee Workday account and select the Find Jobs report which will take you to our internal career listings. Applying outside of your employee Workday account may cause delays in a hire process.

Department:

Library Operations Support

Time Type:

Part time

FLSA Status:

Non-Exempt

Job Description:

Summary:

The Library Operations Student Assistant will primarily support thefront-facing operations of AU Library, with specific emphasis onthe daily operations of the Library Operations Department. Thisincludes staffing various service desks, assisting patrons, andother duties as necessary. Typical job duties may include but arenot limited to answering phones, providing information to visitorsabout the library and the campus, and stocking supplies. Thestudent assistant may also patrol the library building to ensurepatrons’ compliance with library policies and/or assist otherlibrary departments.

Essential Functions:

• Providing excellent customer service.
• Providing directions and making referrals to other librarydepartments and campus offices.
• Addressing and referring patron concerns to appropriateleadership.
• Operating multi-line phone systems.
• Basic troubleshooting for minor technological issues, includingfamiliarity with basic PC and Mac computer operations.
• Managing the lost and found bin and stocking supplies forpatron use.
• Maintaining the presentability of Library spaces.
• Recording patron data and other statistics.
• Communicating patron concerns, housekeeping, and buildingissues to appropriate personnel.
• Maintaining clear and proactive communication with supervisorsin person and through online platforms such as Microsoft Teams andemail.
• Utilizing a range of software tools, including Microsoft OfficeSuite (Teams, Excel, Word), Springshare products (LibStaffer,LibCal, LibGuides), and library systems such as Alma andILLiad.
• Contributing to various other projects and duties assigned tosupport Library Operations and other Library Departments.

Position Type/Expected Hours of Work:

• Part-time.
• 10 - 15 hours per week.

Salary Range:

• $18.40 per hour.

Required Education and Experience:

• Must be an active full-time student at AmericanUniversity.
• Excellent customer service, interpersonal, organizational,communication, and problem-solving skills.
• Demonstrates a high level of honesty, integrity, andconfidentiality, particularly when handling sensitive userinformation.
• Strong attention to detail, embraces a learning mindset, andstays actively engaged while prioritizing tasks and multitasking ina fast-paced environment.
• Adapts to evolving workflows and procedures withflexibility.
• Ability to work collegially with members from across thelibrary and university.
• Ability to work independently with minimal supervision.
• Must be able to lift 40 pounds and push carts.

Additional Eligibility Qualifications:

• It is highly recommended that a cover letter and resume besubmitted as attachments to the online application.
• This position is an onsite part-time student position. Studentsshould expect to work 10 - 15 hours/week, depending on libraryhours; shifts may be scheduled between 8:00am - 10:00pm.
• Federal Work Study (FWS) awards are welcome.
• Please include your expected hours and days of availability inyour application.
• Minimum commitment of 12 hours per week, with at least 16 hoursof availability. Requires one weekend shift and willingness to workat least one opening shift (starting as early as 8 AM) and/or oneclosing shift (ending as late as 10 PM). Availability throughfinals week is expected.
• Following federal law, employers will provide reasonableaccommodation to qualified individuals with disabilities. Withinthe application, please let us know if you require accommodation toapply for or perform the duties of this position.

Other Details

• This position is available only to enrolled AmericanUniversity students.
• Please note this job announcement is not designed to cover orcontain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties orresponsibilities that are required of the employee for this job.Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any timewith orwithout notice.
• American University is an E-Verify employer.
• Visit https://www.american.edu/hr/for additional information about American University employment andbenefits.

Current American University Employees

American University current employees (including those employed instudent positions) must apply through their employee Workdayaccount. If you are a current employee at American University,please log into Workday and select the Find Jobs report which willtake you to our internal career listings.

Contact Us

For more information or assistance with the American Universitycareers site, email [e-mail].

American University is an equal opportunity, affirmative actioninstitution that operates in compliance with applicable laws andregulations. The university does not discriminate on the basis ofrace, color, national origin, religion, sex (including pregnancy),age, sexual orientation, disability, marital status, personalappearance, gender identity and expression, familyresponsibilities, political affiliation, source of income, veteranstatus, an individual’s genetic information or any other basesunder federal or local laws (collectively "Protected Bases") in itsprograms and activities.